NYC AAZK Meeting: Friday May 5, 2017 ⁃ Flaherty Learning Center
In attendance: Kenny, Brent, Joe B., Mike, Gabi, Aniko, Amy, Lisa, Carolyn, Joe
N, Paid Members: Michelle M., Aniko T., Niya C., Lauren F., Joe N., Brittney
M., Elizabeth M., Taylor R.
Member dues: ⁃ $15 members of AAZK national ⁃ $25 for non national members
⁃ Benefits: discounts on Bowling for Rhinos,
access to applying for the annual Travel Grant, chapter voting
⁃ There are currently 10 members
Ice Skating fundraiser:
⁃ Yonkers Murray Memorial Skating Rink
⁃ $300 raised for Trees for you and me
reforestation program
⁃ 16 people in attendance
Regional Symposium:
⁃ 130 representing 27 different facilities in
attendance!
⁃ Dessert Plastics, Bogs Boots and Blunderstone
boot door prizes
⁃ Special thanks to all of the keepers that gave
tours, animal department managers for helping to facilitate the
event, Randi Winter for designing our
custom made map and providing TEX tickets, Joe Padilla from IT for
all his assistance, Priscilla and the
Events team for setting up Schiff Hall, Kimio Honda and the EGAD
department for our awesome symposium
sign design, Pat Thomas for giving the opening remarks, and Jim
Breheny for his support.
⁃ Thank you to our volunteers that came in to
help run the event on their day off: Lisa Walker, Amy Golden,
Aniko Totha, Gabrielle Rosata, Brent
Atkinson, Taylor Ritz, Joe Nappi and Mike Masiello
⁃ Approximately $1,400 in profit
⁃ Behind the Scenes Tours: World of Birds,
Aquatic Birds, Hospital, Congo, Madagascar, Reptile House
⁃ Keeper demos and talks: Bat training/Bug room,
Giraffe training, Tiger demo, Gelada talk
Cinco de Salamander:
⁃ Thank you Carolyn for the amazing decorations!
⁃ 17 people in attendance
⁃ $360 made which will be donated to the
Foundation for the Conservation of Salamanders Upcoming:
National Zookeeper Week:
⁃ looking for committee volunteers
⁃ 3rd week of July
⁃ Social media outreach, education stations and
games for the public, keeper chats, AAZK Silent Auction
Travel Grant:
⁃ $1000 annual professional development grant
⁃ Deadline Aug 1st
Bat Survey:
⁃ More info to follow Bat Surveying
⁃ Talking to Colleen McCann about AAZK assisting
in collecting bat data at the Bronx Zoo over the summer.
Bowling for Rhinos:
⁃ Thank you Taylor Ritz for heading up the
committee!
⁃ Bowlero Alley in Woodside, Queens
⁃ Deposit approved by members
⁃ Monday August 14th ⁃ Need volunteers to help get auction items and
help with setup the day of. Ideas for
Future Event Ideas:
⁃ Paint night
⁃ Obstacle course
⁃ Alamo Drafthouse event
⁃ Summer Video Games Night
⁃ Hose to Habitat Workshop
